House concurs with Senate amendment to H.2‑37 on prescribing authority for doctoral psychologists
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Summary
The House concurred in a Senate proposal of amendment to H.2‑37, a bill expanding prescribing authority to certain doctoral-level psychologists; the amendment clarifies OPR rulemaking, adjusts clinical-rotation requirements and requests a follow-up OPR report to the legislature.
The Vermont House on April 16 concurred in the Senate’s proposal of amendment to H.2‑37, legislation that would allow specified doctoral-level psychologists to prescribe in a limited scope. The committee reporter summarized four main changes added by the Senate: rulemaking authority in the Office of Professional Regulation for postdoctoral psychopharmacology curriculum, adjustments to required clinical-rotation qualifications (shortening an experience requirement from 18 to 14 months and removing rotations for specialties not expected to be treated by psychologist prescribers), a non-substantive effective-date alignment, and a mandate for an OPR report back to the legislature in 2032 on the number of credentialed psychologists and collaborative practitioner availability.
The House adopted the Senate proposal of amendment by voice vote; the Speaker announced, “And you have concurred in the Senate proposal of amendment.” The committee and members emphasized that this measure is one tool intended to expand access to care amid provider shortages, while noting it would not be a complete solution to statewide mental-health access issues.
Quotes and context - "This bill will allow certain doctoral level psychologists to prescribe medications," the sponsor explained while summarizing the committee’s review and the Office of Professional Regulation’s Sunrise assessment.
Next steps The bill now proceeds in the normal legislative process following concurrence; OPR rulemaking and the mandated 2032 reporting requirement are among the follow-up actions described during committee and floor discussion.
